Coventry City vs. Tottenham Hotspur League Cup Preview: The Turnaround

As an American Tottenham Hotspur fan who wasn't married to the club in 2007-08, I've never found the League Cup anything more than a nuisance. Sure, the two final losses (and even two semi-final losses) in the last decade were annoying, but I'd generally rather focus my attention on any Premier League game than a cup tie.

Still, Wednesday looks to be an important moment for Ange “I always win something in my second year” Postecoglou. This season has not started well – four points after four weeks – and last season did not end particularly well either. Although Postecoglou failed to make it to the second round against Fulham last year, he may have no choice but to play an honest game against Coventry City on Wednesday if he wants to defend his claim.

Third round: Coventry City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Date: Wednesday, 18 September
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. UK
Location: Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry
TV: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Fortunately for Postecoglou, Spurs have been drawn against a Championship team for their first League Cup match. Coventry have won just one of five league games but have beaten fellow Second Division sides Bristol City and Oxford United to progress in the competition. Tottenham have lost to weaker teams before but there is a considerable difference in quality between these opponents.

Since Coventry left the top flight, the two clubs have met three times in cup competitions this century, all at the start of their respective tournaments. Tottenham won all three games by an aggregate score of 8-0, so let's hope that trend continues, even though the two teams have not met for 11 years.

Putting the cards on the table

With all due respect to the hosts, the most interesting part of this game will be off the pitch. How Postecoglou chooses his line-up will say a lot about how he views this competition, the development of his team and the form of many of his regulars. His comments after Sunday's game clearly show that he is still very confident, but actions speak louder than words.

It's not my aim to predict lineups here, but personally I'd prefer to rotate the key players without fielding a full second XI. Players like the entire back four, Heung-Min Son and former Coventry youth product James Maddison need the rest, but otherwise I'll pick some first-choice attackers and show some commitment. Postecoglou's honeymoon is on the way out and it would do him a disservice to drop these players.

Opponent invariant

The second most interesting part of Wednesday night's game has less to do with Coventry and more to do with what Spurs' attack looks like. Regardless of who is actually on the pitch, Tottenham will have plenty of possession – if that's the case against top Premier League teams, it will certainly be the case against weaker sides. Making something meaningful out of that possession, however, remains elusive.

It sounds overly simple but for me it all comes down to positioning in movement. Spurs are so sluggish with the ball in the final third, nobody makes runs or gets into dangerous areas. It seems like the best chances come from counterattacks or situations where players rush down the flanks; once the deep block is established, it's game over. Coventry should give this underperforming Tottenham attack 90 minutes of training and further midweek problems will only exacerbate this problem.